JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp opened the season last Friday, but it was on the road in Nashville. Local fans can celebrate with the Jumbo Shrimp on Tuesday when Jacksonville rolls out the welcome mat at the renamed VyStar Ballpark for its home opener against the Worcester Red Sox. News4JAX gives fans all they need to know with this five-minute guide on the season.
The prospects
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Jacksonville is the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Miami’s three top prospects in 2025, LHP Thomas White, SS Starlyn Caba and RHP Noble Meyer are all in lower classes. Caba is in Class A, while White and Meyer will start in High A. All three are likely a year or more away from the majors. C/1B Agustin Ramirez came to the Marlins in the Jazz Chisholm trade last year. He’s rated as the fourth-best prospect in the Miami system and will start in Jacksonville this year. Ramirez is a MLB candidate this year. LHP Robby Snelling and C Joe Mack will start in Double A this season but should be Jacksonville promotions. MLB.com has ranked the Marlins as the 16th-best farm system in baseball, a colossal jump from the 29 they started last year in. Being active in the trade market has brought in serious help from what was a lean system in 2024.
Local of note
Longtime minor leaguer Brian Navarreto played high school ball at now-defunct Arlington Country Day. Navarreto played in Jacksonville in 2021 and is back again this year. He was a sixth-round pick out of ACD in 2013 and has bounced around the minors since. The catcher is a career .219 hitter with 45 homers.
The crowds
The Jumbo Shrimp averaged 4,758 fans at home games in 2024. With stadium renovations complete, expect that average to rise this year.
The opening game
The Jumbo Shrimp unveil the upgraded park (with a new name) on Tuesday. It’s the first chance for fans to see the massive changes at VyStar Ballpark as part of a $31.8 million investment from the city. The Jumbo Shrimp will shut the street down for a block party three hours before the game. Fans will get a chance to enter through the main gates in the newly created Baptist Health Center Field Plaza.
Best promotions
News4JAX combed through the 32 nights of promotions and picked out our 10 favorite. For the full list of promotions, find those here.
April 12: vs. Charlotte Knights
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a Bluetooth speaker.
May 10: vs. Syracuse Mets
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a Jumbo Shrimp straw beach hat.
May 24: vs. Memphis Redbirds
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a Honey Drippers hooded T-shirt.
June 7: vs. Durham Bulls
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a Jacksonville Red Caps T-shirt.
July 5: vs. Charlotte Knights
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a Nolan Ryan bobblehead figure. Ryan, the iconic baseball hall of famer, pitched for the Triple A Jacksonville Suns.
July 12: vs. Norfolk Tides
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a Hawaiian mummy-style T-shirts.
Aug. 2, vs. Columbus Clippers
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a clear Jumbo Shrimp backpack.
Aug. 16, vs. Norfolk Tides
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a Jumbo Shrimp pickleball paddle.
Aug. 30, vs. Rochester Red Wings
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive sublimated shorts bearing the logo of the Honey Drippers. If you went on May 24, this will allow you to complete the set.
Sept. 13, vs. Memphis Redbirds
The first 2,000 fans through the Baptist Health Centerfield Plaza will receive a Jumbo Shrimp umbrella.
Fireworks
Yes, the popular fireworks displays return, too. Here are the games where fireworks will happen, depending on weather, of course.
April 1, opening night
April 4, vs. Worcester Red Sox
April 5, vs. Worcester Red Sox
April 11, vs. Charlotte Knights
April 12, vs. Charlotte Knights
April 25, vs. Gwinnett Stripers
April 26, vs. Gwinnett Stripers
May 9, vs. Syracuse Mets
May 10, vs. Syracuse Mets
May 23, vs. Memphis Redbirds
May 24, vs. Memphis Redbirds
May 25, vs. Memphis Redbirds
June 6, vs. Durham Bulls
June 7, vs. Durham Bulls
June 27, vs. Nashville Sounds
June 28, vs. Nashville Sounds
July 4, vs. Charlotte Knights
July 11, vs. Norfolk Tides
Aug. 1, vs. Columbus Clippers
Aug. 15, vs. Norfolk Tides
Aug. 29, vs. Rochester Red Wings
Aug. 30, vs. Rochester Red Wings
Aug. 31, vs. Rochester Red Wings
Sept. 13, vs. Memphis Redbirds
Military appreciation
All active and retired military will be celebrated with free tickets for them and their dependents again this year. Tickets may be picked up in person at the Miller Electric Box Office. The team also offers $7 discounted tickets in Sections 101, 114-120 and an $11 ticket in sections 102-113.
April 6, vs. Worcester Red Sox
May 7, vs. Syracuse Mets
June 26, vs. Nashville Sounds
Aug. 14, vs. Norfolk Tides
Aug. 28, vs. Rochester Red Wings
